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  • Why we need protection from the Data Protection Bill
    Jan 13, 2020
    The Bill, in its current form, more or less tries to hand the government a blank cheque when it comes to accessing citizens’ data. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) is set to brief the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Data Protection Bill on January 14. As MEITY itself has drafted the Bill, […]
  • Shutting down internet to curb opposing views is problematic
    Jan 13, 2020
    States around the world are divided along the lines of how they should view the internet. On one end of the spectrum, there are calls to treat the internet somewhat as a fundamental right. For instance, the UN subscribes to this view and is publicly advocating for internet freedom and protection of rights online. On […]
  • Amazon, Fine Margins, and Ambient Computing
    Jan 13, 2020
    There are some keynotes in the tech world that serve as highlights of the year. There is Apple’s iPhone event and WWDC where Apple traditionally deals with software developments. Then there is Google’s IO, and also the Mobile World Congress. Virtually all of these are guaranteed to make news. Earlier last year, it was an […]
  • Expect China to intensify pressure campaign after Tsai Ing-wen’s victory
    Jan 13, 2020
    Cross-strait ties are likely to get far more frosty, with serious implications for the security dynamic in East Asia, after Tsai Ing-wen’s victory in Taiwan’s presidential election. In many ways, Saturday’s was a historic election. Nearly 75 percent of the 19.31 million eligible voters cast their ballot, with Tsai bagging over 57 percent of the […]
  • Why missed call democracy is a bad idea
    Jan 13, 2020
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    The Narendra Modi-led government launched a ‘missed call campaign’ on January 3, 2019 asking people to give a missed call at a number to register their support for the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Home Minister Amit Shah has claimed that 52,72,000 missed calls have been received from verifiable phone numbers. What has been happening in […]
  • All Things Policy: Behaving Badly in the South China Sea
    Jan 13, 2020
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    A high profile confrontation at sea between China and Indonesia comes even as countries in the region try to come up with a common code of conduct. Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss what 2020 holds for the South China Sea. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google […]
  • The Compound Eye – Mice in Space, Turtles in Rehab and Bedbugs in Walmart: 2020 is here!
    Jan 10, 2020
    Advertising and Claims Regulations, FSSAI  Earlier this week, the Maharashtra FDA seized food products worth INR 69 lakhs in lieu of misleading claims made by the manufacturers. In raids carried out at cold storages located at various places, FDA officers had found issues with three products. These are Nutralite Fat Spread of Zydus Wellness Pvt. […]
  • Eye on China: Taiwan Polls – Pak Drills – US Deal – Xi’s Mission – Defaults & Revenue – Wuhan Flu
    Jan 10, 2020
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week Xi Jinping concludes the “staying true to our founding mission” campaign; party committees in enterprises get more teeth; tensions escalate in the South China Sea; India’s Northern Army Commander visits China and […]
  • All Things Policy: Favorite Books from 2019
    Jan 10, 2020
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    What books did people at Takshashila read in 2019? What is the significance of these books? In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani, Nitin Pai and Rohan Seth list their favourite books from last year, and talk about how each book has influenced their thinking. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify […]
  • The PLA Insight: PLA & Tibet; The SCS Standoff; Military Sci-tech; JL-3; Djibouti Base; Smart Weapons Conf; China-Pakistan Naval Exercises, and more
    Jan 10, 2020
    I. The Big Story: PLA and Tibet The PLA has begun its major military exercises in the high-altitude Tibetan plateau bordering India. The Type 15 light battle tanks and the new type 155-MM howitzers are used for the exercises, a report claims. Another report claims that the Tibet military command has deployed helicopters, armoured vehicles, heavy artillery and anti-aircraft missiles across the […]
  • All Things Policy: The Year that Changed the World
    Jan 9, 2020
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    A strange revolution, a catastrophic invasion, a dramatic terrorist attack, and an economic transformation. Few years in modern history have been as consequential as 1979. Four decades on, Mano Kewalramani joins Aditya Ramanathan and Sankalp Gurjar to discuss how 1979 shaped our world. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify […]
  • Takshashila Strategic Assessment: PRC’s Influence on Taiwan’s Polity: Instruments & Efficacy
    Jan 8, 2020
    Download the Strategic Assessment in PDF Executive Summary Chinese President Xi Jinping has termed the “reunification” of Taiwan with the PRC as “a historic task” that is vital to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. For the Communist Party of China, this is a core interest, underscored by the One-China Principle, that goes to the […]
  • All Things Policy: The Death of Soleimani
    Jan 8, 2020
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    The killing of Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds expeditionary force, is a pivotal moment in the history of modern West Asia. Aditya Ramanathan and Manoj Kewalramani join Anirudh Kanisetti to understand the man’s career, his influence on Iran’s foreign policy, and how his death will impact the geopolitics of the region. We […]
  • All Things Policy: Reading the Economist 22
    Jan 7, 2020
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    Anirudh Kanisetti and Utkarsh Narain join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss the most interesting stories of the week: China and the US are undergoing a divorce in hi-tech industries, Brazil’s Bolsanaro might have some upsides, and Australia is experiencing wildfires that could accelerate climate change. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts […]
  • Will India follow Russian example on domestic internet?
    Jan 6, 2020
    After Russia tested RuNet, what are the chances that India will try its hand at NayaBharatNet? In the final weeks of the last year, there were reports that Russia successfully tested RuNet, its ‘domestic internet’ that would be cut-off from the global internet. Specifics of the exercise are not known – whether for example it […]
  • All Things Policy: SSF – China’s War-Winning Tool
    Jan 6, 2020
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    Four years after its inception, China’s Strategic Support Force (SSF), which is responsible for cyber, space and electronic warfare, has become central to the PLA’s military capabilities. How has the SSF developed and how does it compare against its foreign counterparts? Manoj Kewalramani talks to Pranav RS and Suyash Desai to find out. Subscribe and […]
  • Disney Should Buy Spotify
    Jan 3, 2020
    You may think that winning the streaming race depends on having the best content, but things have already begun to change. As of now, the company with the better bundle will win, and that’s why it makes sense for Disney to buy Spotify this year. To read the full article, visit OZY. Rohan is a […]
  • All Things Policy: The World of Public Policy
    Jan 3, 2020
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    How does someone who wants to influence policy actually do so outside of government? How does a policy career help transform the country, and for that matter, how do you get into the policy space anyway? Anirudh Kanisetti talks to Apurva Kumar, Shibani Mehta and Sowmya Nandan about their journeys to find out.. Subscribe and […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Hong Kong Warnings; Xi signs CMC Orders; China’s Fleet not Combat-ready yet; PLA JLSF; 14th five year plan; Smart Weapons, and more
    Jan 3, 2020
    I. The Big Story: PLA’s Hong Kong Warnings The PLA’s Hong Kong garrison held joint air and sea drills in the city’s harbour last week. The drills are seen as its latest attempt to warn anti-government protesters who are protesting since June 2019. Warships and speedboats joined armed helicopters, infantry, special troops and other combat forces from the […]
  • All Things Policy: Ep. 231: The Many Colours of Krishna Menon
    Jan 2, 2020
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    V. K. Krishna Menon is probably India’s most famous defence minister – especially for his role in the 1962 Sino-Indian War. But it turns out there’s a lot more to him than just that. From his role in the Freedom Struggle to his remarkable career as India’s Ambassador to the UN, Jairam Ramesh takes Anirudh […]
  • Your Fitbit is Going to Replace Clinics near You
    Dec 31, 2019
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    First it was payments and now it’s healthcare. Big Tech in the US and China is revolutionizing the health sector, with hundreds of billions of dollars of market share at stake. There are multiple factors that are driving this movement. For starters, there’s the simple need to find new avenues for growth for both American […]
  • Can Modi govt know who you text? Should FB be liable for your posts? We’ll know in Jan 2020
    Dec 31, 2019
    Apart from deciding on end-to-end encryption for chats, the amended IT Rules will also decide on what content belongs on the internet. Should Facebook be liable for the content you post? Should Apple build a backdoor to allow access to iPhones? Should the government know who you are texting and should it have access to […]
  • PLA SSF: Why China will be ahead of everyone in future cyber, space or information warfare
    Dec 31, 2019
    People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force contingent made its debut appearance at China’s military day parade, earlier this year. Formed on this day in 2015, it is mandated to create synergies between China’s space, cyber and electronic warfare. The PLA considers these three domains critical for “commanding strategic heights.” The SSF was formed to optimise China’s dominance in […]
  • All Things Policy: Algorithms at War
    Dec 28, 2019
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    What do dolphins, artificial intelligence, and brain-machine interfaces have to tell us about the future of war? Manoj Kewalramani, Anirudh Kanisetti, and Aditya Ramanathan debate and criticise the ideas presented in the latest issue of MIT Technology Review. Manoj Kewalramani – @theChinaDude Anirudh Kanisetti – @AKanisetti Aditya Ramanathan – @adityar22 Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes […]
  • The Compound Eye – Decluttering the oceans, Miss America and Bhoot Vidya: 2020 has a lot to look forward to!
    Dec 27, 2019
    Research Ethics  With the recent slew of articles being retracted by Indian authors amid accusations of scientific fraud and plagiarism, it is no surprise that governmental agencies are keen to make some changes. After DBT’s statement on research misconduct, it is now the UGC’s turn to take steps to tackle these issues. In a circular […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Year-end Review
    Dec 27, 2019
    The Big Story: PLA in 2019 The year 2019 has been an interesting year for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. It started with President’s Xi Jinping’s speech demanding the PLA to be battle-ready and ending with China commissioning its second aircraft carrier, the Shandong. Many interesting things have happened in the past 12 months. Let’s do […]
  • India’s price control policy has destroyed drug manufacturers. This is how they can be saved
    Dec 26, 2019
    By Sarthak Pradhan India has one of the lowest drug prices in the world, yet many Indians are deprived of life-saving drugs. Price controls haven’t been enough to bridge this gap. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority last week raised the ceiling price of 21 essential drugs by 50 per cent to offset the rise in cost of ingredients imported […]
  • Book Review: Active Defense: China’s Military Strategy since 1949
    Dec 25, 2019
    M. Taylor Fravel, Princeton University Press, New Jersey, 2019, 396 pp., US $35.00 (hardcover), ISBN 9780691152134 “Active Defense: China’s Military Strategy since 1949.” Strategic Analysis, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), pp. 1–2 Read here…
  • All Things Policy: Cyber Insecurity
    Dec 24, 2019
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    The Union government is asking for inputs on a cybersecurity strategy for a new India. Takshashila’s Tech Team, Prateek Waghre, Utkarsh Narain, and Rohan Seth talk about the shortcomings of the 2013 national cybersecurity policy and debate on what the upcoming 2020 policy should have. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google […]
  • All Things Policy: 2019 in Review: India and the World
    Dec 24, 2019
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    How did India’s foreign policy hold up in 2019? From the ASAT test to Howdy Modi, Manoj Kewalramani, Pranay Kotasthane, Sankalp Gurjar and Suyash Desai discuss and debate the hits and misses in Indian foreign policy this year. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • India’s National Cybersecurity Policy Must Acknowledge Modern Realities
    Dec 23, 2019
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    Earlier this year, it was discovered that India was the target of two cyberattacks in the same month. The malware attacks at the Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) are believed to be the outcomes of phishing attempts on employees. In 2018, it was reported that an officer of the Indian Air […]
  • All Things Policy: 2019 in Review: Tech in India
    Dec 23, 2019
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    What did 2019 mean for the Indian tech space? Rohan Seth talks to Utkarsh Narain and Prateek Waghre about how the debate has progressed in policy circles around data protection, facial recognition, social media, misinformation and other things tech. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast […]
  • All Things Policy: 2019 in Review Tech in India
    Dec 23, 2019
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    What did 2019 mean for the Indian tech space? Rohan Seth talks to Utkarsh Narain and Prateek Waghre about how the debate has progressed in policy circles around data protection, facial recognition, social media, misinformation and other things tech. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 34: China’s Second Aircraft Carrier; PLA Promotions; Military Diplomacy; PLA takes New Steps to Optimise Training Bases; Chinese PKO; Evolution of War Patterns; Drone Challenge, and more
    Dec 20, 2019
    I. The Big Story: China’s Second Aircraft Carrier China commissioned its first home-built aircraft carrier last week. The new warship, which was previously known as the Type 001A, will now be called the Shandong. President Xi Jinping attended the commissioning ceremony of the vessel. The vessel set out for its first sea-trials in May 2018 and was expected to be […]
  • Eye on China: Indo-Pacific – Wang Yi’s Message – Tibet Act – Trade Deal – Xi in Macau – Debt Worries
    Dec 20, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover Chinese ambassador to India’s PTI interview; Beijing’s view of protests in India; Wang Yi’s foreign policy assessment & Europe visit; China inducts a new aircraft carrier; and much more. I. India-China […]
  • Look at the numbers: Why Digital India can’t afford internet shutdowns with slowing economy
    Dec 20, 2019
    Take a look at these numbers – 3, 5, 6, 14, 31, 79, 134, 91. These are the numbers of documented instances of internet shutdowns in India between 2012 and 2019. The 2019 number will certainly rise during the final weeks of the year as anger against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the Bharatiya Janata Party rises. And yet, […]
  • Are Internet shutdowns healthy for India?
    Dec 19, 2019
    Democratic governments must be accountable to the public and provide a rationale for disrupting Internet services in a timely manner. In the interest of transparency, all governments should document the reasons, time, alternatives considered, decision-making authorities and the rules under which the shutdowns were imposed and release the documents for public scrutiny. This is the […]
  • All Things Policy: Beware, Warehouses!
    Dec 19, 2019
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    What happens when Amazon enters or leaves an Indian city? In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani talks to Anupam Manur and Rohan Seth about how Amazon’s new fulfillment centres impact everything from local employment to public health Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Book Review: Do Ideals Matter for Foreign Policymaking?
    Dec 19, 2019
    Values in Foreign Policy: Investing Ideals and Interests Edited by: Krishnan Srinivasan, James Mayall, Sanjay Pulipaka Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Pages: 269 What better time to discuss a subject when everyone seems to be ruing the absence of it. From that angle alone, this anthology “Values in Foreign Policy: Investigating Ideals and Interests” deserves attention […]
  • All Things Policy: Does the Government Want Your Data?
    Dec 18, 2019
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    What does the Personal Data Protection Bill say about linking Aadhar to social media? What exactly will the proposed Data Protection Authority even do? Prateek Waghre and Utkarsh Narain discuss with Rohan Seth. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Data Protection Bill, an unfinished piece of work
    Dec 18, 2019
    Bill demands age verification and consent from guardians of children for data processing Shashi Tharoor has a strong case when he says that the personal data protection Bill should have come to the information technology standing committee. It does set a precedent when issues as important as the bill do not go through proper channels […]
  • All Things Policy: Reading the Economist 21
    Dec 17, 2019
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    What role do institutions of the state play in shaping government policy, and how do these institutions affect policy when in peril? In this edition of Reading the Economist, Anirudh Kanisetti, Pranav RS and Sarthak Pradhan discuss this with examples from Asia, Africa and Europe. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google […]
  • All Things Policy: China, the Middle-Aged Kingdom
    Dec 16, 2019
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    China’s fertility rate is down to just 1.6. The workforce is shrinking while the population of the elderly grows. At the same time, the now abandoned one-child policy has resulted in a skewed sex ratio. Given all this, could demography be a rising China’s Achilles Heel? Manoj Kewalramani, Suyash Desai join Pranay Kotasthane to discuss […]
  • The Compound Eye – Policy Alerts, BioDefense, NRSM and Human-Sized Penguins
    Dec 14, 2019
    Policy Alert Recently some of the policies covered in previous Compound Eye issues have moved forward. Here is an update on some of the policies: Gene Therapy Guidelines The National Guidelines for Gene Therapy Product Development and Clinical Trials were released by ICMR in the last week of November. The guidelines cover all gene therapy products – defined […]
  • Genomics data banking could revolutionise healthcare, but comes with unmitigated risks
    Dec 14, 2019
    You read a brochure that promises to tell you what diseases you are likely to get in the next decade. Obviously you want to lead a longer, healthier life. So you send a cheek swab to the clinic and await test results. Thankfully, your reports are largely all-clear except a minor mutation which would likely […]
  • Citizenship Law and NRC Issue can Strain India’s Ties With its Most Important Neighbour — Bangladesh
    Dec 13, 2019
    The Print’s daily roundtable TalkPoint posed a question connected to the foreign policy implications of the Citizenship Amendment Bill and the National Register of Indian Citizens: CAB, NRC, Kashmir: Is Modi govt damaging India’s diplomatic standing for domestic politics?  ‘Neighbourhood first’ was supposed to be the guiding principle of Modi government’s foreign policy. But all three measures — […]
  • Eye on China: Trade Deal – 2+2 Quad – Economic Goals – Tech & Chips – Wang In Myanmar – Human Rights
    Dec 13, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover developments related to the Quad, China’s economic policy, tech sector developments, Wang Yi’s trip to Myanmar, the Sino-US deal and much more. I. 2+2 = Quad In September this year, […]
  • All Things Policy: War in the Heavens
    Dec 13, 2019
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    Getting to space has never been as easy as it is today, but this has also opened the doors for a new space race. In this episode, Aditya Ramanathan and Pranay Kotasthane talk to Pranav RS about our new paper on space power and space warfare, and discuss the new opportunities offered by space. Subscribe […]
  • The Battle in Pakistan’s Military-Jihadi Complex
    Dec 12, 2019
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    Contrary to popular belief, Pakistan’s military-jihadi complex (MJC) has not been brought to its knees by Balakot, Uri, or even FATF. India’s actions in Kashmir, for example, have provided the MJC with the perfect excuse to interfere as it does best. The reason for its current quiet is internal political turmoil connected to COAS Bajwa. […]
  • 2020 cybersecurity policy has to enable global collaboration
    Dec 12, 2019
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    The rapid expansion of digital penetration in India brings with it the need to strengthen cybersecurity. The critical nature of the myriad cyber threats that India faces was underscored by the recent breach at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant and the Indian Space Research Organisation. These were just two of the 1,852 cyber-attacks that are […]
  • All Things Policy: Is Cyberwarfare Coming?
    Dec 12, 2019
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    The term “cyber warfare” has come into vogue in recent times, but nobody seems to know what it actually is. In this episode, Anirudh Kanisetti sits down with Prateek Waghre, Pranav RS and Shibani Mehta to talk about cyberwarfare and what countries are doing to deal with new threats in cyberspace. Subscribe and listen to […]
  • Takshashila Review Paper: Space Power and Space Warfare
    Dec 11, 2019
    Download the paper in PDF Executive Summary The modern space age is characterised by low cost access to space. One consequence of this development is increased competition in the military sphere. This review paper examines the current literature on space power and space warfare to explain why technology in both the civilian and military domain […]
  • All Things Policy: Is NATO Going to Collapse?
    Dec 11, 2019
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    After last week’s annual summit, cracks seem to be appearing in NATO over Russia, Turkey, and even the USA. Is this anti-Soviet alliance finally on its last legs, 70 years after it was formed? Anirudh Kanisetti and Sankalp Gurjar discuss with Manoj Kewalramani. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify […]
  • How to start your own country: All you need is ‘friends’
    Dec 11, 2019
    Nityananda’s Kailaasa, located off the coast of Ecuador, has its own flag, recognised a set of official languages and even set up a department for homeland security and defence. To all appearances, it seems like a legitimate country and may inspire more to establish their own. But creating a new country is not as easy […]
  • All Things Policy: Reading the Economist 20
    Dec 10, 2019
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    In this week’s Reading the Economist, Apurva Kumar and Suyash Desai join Anirudh Kanisetti to discuss global inequality and how bad policies are holding us back from tackling climate change. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Personal Data Protection Bill has its flaws
    Dec 9, 2019
    Data Protection Authority can potentially deal with brokers and the negative externality Indian tech policy is shifting from formative to decisive. Arguably the biggest increment in this shift comes this week as the Personal Data Protection Bill will (hopefully) be debated and passed by the parliament. The bill itself has gone through public (and private) […]
  • All Things Policy: What can India do about China?
    Dec 9, 2019
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    Anirudh Kanisetti and Suyash Desai join Manoj Kewalramani to further unpack our report to India’s Parliament on China’s rise. This is part 2 of 2, exploring how China has impacted India’s economy and geopolitics – and what India needs to do about it. Read the full report here: An Indian Approach to Navigate China’s Rise […]
  • How India can build its own SpaceX
    Dec 7, 2019
    While the Indian Space Research Organisation is doing a commendable job, the participation of private space companies from India, at the global stage is still very limited. India must adopt an enabling policy framework and incorporate independent & fair institutional design mechanisms to promote NewSpace startups in the country. Establishment of independent space regulatory authority, […]
  • A small step for data protection, big leap awaited
    Dec 7, 2019
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    It is an exciting time to be in the Indian tech policy space right now. The government has listed the Personal Data Protection Bill in Parliament for the winter session. The Union Cabinet has aprroved the Bill and it is likely to be introduced for discussion before the on-going winter session of Parliament ends on […]
  • All Things Policy: Why is China Powerful?
    Dec 6, 2019
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    Takshashila researchers Manoj Kewalramani, Anirudh Kanisetti and Shibani Mehta unpack our latest research: a report to India’s Parliament about China’s rise. This is part 1 of 2, exploring the sources of China’s power and global influence and how they have grown over the decades. Check out the full report here: An Indian Approach to Navigate […]
  • The PLA Insight: Issue no 32: India’s PLA Caution; 998 Chinese Ships near Senkakus; China Deploys Airship at the SCS Outpost; New Ways of Replenishment; Icebreakers Voyage to Antarctica; 解放军报, and more
    Dec 6, 2019
    I. The Big Story: India’s PLA Caution: Land and Sea The Indian Navy claims that it drove away a Chinese vessel from the Andaman waters in September this year. It claims that the Chinese research vessel was indulging in suspicious activities near India’s strategically located Andaman and Nicobar tri-service command. “Our stand is that if you have to do […]
  • Eye on China: SR Talks – Mi Credit – Tech War – CPEC Stumbles – SL Balances – Power of Serbia – Xinjiang – Record Defaults – GDP Target – Employment
    Dec 6, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover Wang Yi’s upcoming India visit; Xiaomi launches new credit platform; China’s engagement in South Asia; the trade war; CPEC’s troubles; protests in Hong Kong and much more. I. SR Talks, IOR, […]
  • Takshashila Discussion Document – An Indian Approach to Navigate China’s Rise
    Dec 5, 2019
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    Download the Discussion Document in PDF Executive Summary The rise of China as an emerging global power has significant implications for India’s pursuit of its core interests. While old sources of friction between the two countries persist, shifting global power dynamics and technological advancements present new challenges and opportunities. In this backdrop, this report argues […]
  • All Things Policy: Talking Nukes with Vipin Narang
    Dec 4, 2019
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    Are new developments eroding the credibility of India’s no first use policy? Is North Korea going to spark a crisis in the new year? In this episode, Aditya Ramanathan and Pranav R.S. talk to Vipin Narang, Associate Professor at MIT about India’s counterforce temptations and the latest nuclear tensions in northeast Asia. Also check out: […]
  • Bengaluru needs more high-tech companies, not fewer 
    Dec 3, 2019
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    The Karnataka government is set to release a new industrial policy next month with the goal of encouraging investment in tier-II cities. As it has been in the past, this goal is likely to be framed in zero-sum terms i.e. achieved by pushing IT companies to move away from Bengaluru and in other cities instead. We […]
  • All Things Policy: Extinguishing the Crop Burning Problem
    Dec 3, 2019
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    Annual stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is a major cause of pollution in North India and a serious public health crisis. While the problem is well known, the solutions are not. In this episode, Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane use an economic perspective to derive possible solutions to lessen crop burning. Subscribe and listen […]
  • 4 Lessons for India From China’s October 2019 Military Parade
    Dec 3, 2019
    With the People’s Republic of China (PRC) marking its 70th founding anniversary on October 1, the grand military parade at Tiananmen Square was the highlight of the celebrations. It showcased China’s newer arms, ammunition, and technology. Over 15,000 personnel, 160 aircraft, and 580 pieces of military equipment participated in the military parade, including sophisticated weaponry such as hypersonic missiles, […]
  • All Things Policy: The Primacy of Bengaluru?
    Dec 2, 2019
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    Do hi-tech industries create regionally unbalanced development? If so, is it a problem governments can address? In this episode, Pranay Kotasthane and Anupam Manur debate the challenges, pitfalls and paradoxes of industrial policies. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Should India be bolder with China?
    Dec 2, 2019
    India’s response to China’s diplomatic offensive of recent years has been inconsistent and sporadic. Using diplomatic tools in an institutionalised way to highlight China’s vulnerabilities is something India refrains from. This, despite China’s increased diplomatic activism against India. For instance, China raised the dilution of Article 370 in the United Nations Security Council on behalf […]
  • Subcontinent is not ‘India’s own backyard’. Neighbours will continue to pursue foreign policies independently
    Nov 30, 2019
    The Print’s daily roundtable TalkPoint posed a question connected to the new Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s India visit: With strong leaders like Rajapaksa, Hasina, Oli, is India losing dominance in South Asia? My response: Strong leaders or not, these sovereign South Asian states will continue to pursue their independent foreign policies based on their strategic priorities. The […]
  • The PLA Insight: Issue no 30: Xi’s Military Reforms; China-Pakistan, and India; Corruption in PLA; PLA Drones; Vertical Launch Missile System; 解放军报, and more
    Nov 29, 2019
    I. The Big Story: Xi’s Military Reforms The Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for efforts to cultivate a new type of military personnel who are competent, professional and possess both integrity and ability. He attended the opening ceremony of the training of Presidents of the military schools and academies at the National Defence University […]
  • Eye on China: LAC Transgressions – CPEC Quarrel – Military Education – Risky Banks – Aussie Scandal
    Nov 29, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we focus on the developments in the Sino-Indian relationship; Xi’s focus on military education; nearly 13% of Chinese banks being highly risky; protests in Hong Kong; new leaks from Xinjiang and much […]
  • Joining a New Social Media Platform Does Not Make Sense
    Nov 29, 2019
    Mastodon is what’s happening in India right now. Indian Twitter users are moving to the platform and have taken to using hashtags such as #CasteistTwitter and #cancelallBlueTicksinIndia. A key reason for this to transpire is that Twitter has been, to put it mildly, less than perfect, in moderating content in India. There is the incident […]
  • All Things Policy: Russia’s Military Rennaissance
    Nov 29, 2019
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    The post-Soviet military of Russia has evolved into a fighting force for the 21st century. How has Russia achieved this and how do the Russians spend their money on weapons? To discuss a new report talking about these issues, Aditya Ramanathan sits down with Anirudh Kanisetti and Pranav RS to dig deeper. Aditya Ramanathan – @adityar22 […]
  • The Compound Eye – Transgender Bill, Facial Recognition Systems and GITA
    Nov 29, 2019
    The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 was passed by the Indian Parliament on 26th November despite considerable opposition by members of the Rajya Sabha and the transgender community. In 2014, the supreme court in a landmark judgement in the case of National Legal Services Authority versus […]
  • IndiGen project — how mapping of genomes could transform India’s healthcare
    Nov 29, 2019
    The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched an ambitious project, IndiGen, to sequence whole genomes of diverse ethnic Indian population to develop public health technology applications. The CSIR last month announced sequencing of 1,008 Indian genomes as part of the project. It aims to complete sequencing of at least 10,000 Indian genomes over the next three […]
  • How to respond to an ‘intelligent’ PLA
    Nov 27, 2019
    Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies over the next decade will have a profound impact on the nature of warfare. Increasing use of precision weapons, training simulations and unmanned vehicles are merely the tip of the iceberg. AI technologies, going forward, will not only have a direct battlefield impact in terms of weapons and equipment but […]
  • All Things Policy: China’s Undersea Adventures
    Nov 27, 2019
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    How does China plan to use its expanding submarine fleet? And what does it mean for India? Aditya Ramanathan, Pranav RS and Suyash Desai dive into the murky world of military competition that lurks beneath the waves. Aditya Ramanathan – @adityar22 Suyash Desai – @Suyash_Desai Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify […]
  • Here’s Why Facebook Should Collect Data on Our Political Leanings
    Nov 26, 2019
    As a global community, we should have a more visible and informed choice in what content we want to consume. The full article is available here. Rohan is a Policy Analyst at The Takshashila Institution.
  • All Things Policy: Reading the Economist 20
    Nov 26, 2019
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    The US-South Korea alliance is on shaky ground. China is looking to expand its nuclear arsenal. The parallels between Sri Lankan and Indian politics. And are tech companies ignoring women when designing products? Utkarsh Narain and Pranav RS join Manoj Kewalramani to talk about all this and more in this week’s Reading The Economist. Subscribe […]
  • All Things Policy: Auditing India’s Foreign Policy
    Nov 25, 2019
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    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s Ramnath Goenka Lecture last week was hailed by some as a landmark speech. But did it really lay out a new vision for Indian foreign policy? Sankalp Gurjar and Suyash Desai join Manoj Kewalramani to discuss. Sankalp Gurjar – @SankalpGurjar Suyash Desai – @Suyash_Desai Manoj Kewalramani – @theChinaDude (https://twitter.com/thechinadude) Subscribe and listen to the […]
  • Lessons from Facebook and Twitter’s Political Ads Policies
    Nov 23, 2019
    Over the course of the last few weeks, we have seen Facebook and Twitter take opposing views on the issue of political ads. While the issue itself does not have an immediate implication for Indian politics, the decisions of the two companies, their actions throughout the episode and reactions to them are emblematic of the […]
  • Eye on China: HK Siege – Xinjiang Papers – GDP Revision – New Industrial Plan – Rajnath’s Visit
    Nov 22, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover the fallout of Sri Lanka’s presidential election; Rajnath Singh’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh; the protests in Hong Kong; China’s revision of its GDP and much more. I. India-China Relations There’s […]
  • Should government mandate corporates to sell public data for social benefit?
    Nov 22, 2019
    In a recent development (Economic Times, 9th September 2019), The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) is considering issuing guidelines under the Information Technology Act that will require agencies and companies to sell public and non-personal data to anyone in the country, including the government. This marks a difference from the usual policy position of […]
  • All Things Policy: Old Thinking on New Nukes
    Nov 22, 2019
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    Since the first mushroom cloud erupted over Hiroshima, there’s been a strong belief that nukes have fundamentally changed international politics. But is this true? In this special episode, political scientists Keir Lieber and Daryl Press talk to Aditya Ramanathan and Pranav RS about the myth of the nuclear revolution. “The End of MAD?” article by […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 29: PLA in Hong Kong; China’s Defence Diplomacy; PLA Hardware; Submarine Strategy; Security Review Commission Report; NIDS ; Jiefangjun Bao Report (解放军报); CMC Guideline
    Nov 22, 2019
    I. The Big Story: PLA in Hong Kong The People’s Liberation Army soldiers were spotted cleaning-up the Hong Kong’s streets last week. Their presence raised concerns in China’s autonomous region. Social media feeds showed men in green and black uniforms with Chinese flags on their shoulders, “voluntarily clearing the streets.” Although several thousands of the PLA soldiers are located in […]
  • All Things Policy: China’s Awful Secret
    Nov 21, 2019
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    A New York Times report based on leaked internal Chinese documents sheds fresh light on the unprecedented crackdown on ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. Suyash Desai, Sankalp Gurjar and Manoj Kewalramani discuss the report and the global reaction to China’s internment of Uighurs. Suyash Desai – @Suyash_Desai Sankalp Gurjar – @SankalpGurjar Manoj Kewalramani – @theChinaDude Subscribe and listen to […]
  • All Things Policy: Toot or Dare
    Nov 20, 2019
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    Why have Indian Twitter users started moving to Mastodon? What is the so-called Fediverse, and will it replace Twitter? Utkarsh Narain, Anirudh Kanisetti and Prateek Waghre break it down. Utkarsh Narain – @utkarsh01 Anirudh Kanisetti – @AKanisetti Prateek Waghre – @prateekwaghre Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • We Need Our Own Honest Ads Act
    Nov 19, 2019
    Recent developments in online advertising have been uplifting. Facebook (and by extension, Instagram) has been running a policy that is meant to block predatory ads that target people who are overweight or have skin conditions, pushing unusual and often medically dangerous miracle cures. Google, which makes over $100 billion in online ad revenue, has also […]
  • All Things Policy: Reading the Economist 20
    Nov 19, 2019
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    An unwieldy coalition is set to rule Spain but will it last? What good are aircraft carriers in today’s world? How are online platforms like Netflix changing media competition? Sankalp Gurjar, Utkarsh Narain and Manoj Kewalramani talk about all this and more in this week’s Reading The Economist Manoj Kewalramani – @theChinaDude Sankalp Gurjar – @SankalpGurjar Utkarsh […]
  • India will be watching the new Rajapaksa regime closely
    Nov 19, 2019
    Sri Lanka’s geo-strategic location will continue to attract foreign powers like China and the United States (US) and therefore the tussle between them is likely to be played out in Sri Lanka. In this context, India’s ability to shape Sri Lankan policies will be tested. Moreover, how Gotabaya Rajapaksa engages with China will also be watched […]
  • All Things Policy: India’s Genome Project
    Nov 18, 2019
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    The IndiGen project will map genes across India’s ethnic groups to discover clinically actionable genetic information. Shambhavi Naik, Pranay Kotasthane and Anirudh Kanisetti discuss the importance of this project, the opportunities it presents and the challenges it faces. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Why we must be vigilant about mass facial surveillance
    Nov 18, 2019
    The recent revelations about NSO group’s Pegasus being used to target an estimated two dozen Indian lawyers and activists using the vulnerabilities in Whatsapp have once again brought the issue of targeted surveillance of citizens into focus. As the saying goes, no good crisis should go to waste. This is an opportunity to raise public […]
  • The nuclear cloud hanging over the human race
    Nov 16, 2019
    India and China are the only nuclear powers which adhere to a No First Use policy, based on the rationale that the only role of nuclear weapons is to deter their own kind. With overwhelming evidence now available regarding nuclear explosions and climate change, it is time that India and China jointly take the lead […]
  • All Things Policy: Forever Young
    Nov 15, 2019
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    New technologies are pushing the boundaries of how long humans beings can lead healthy lives. In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani, Shambhavi Naik, and Ganesh Chakravarthy debate the scientific and philosophical questions that stem from the human quest for immortality. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast […]
  • Eye on China: HK Turmoil – BRICS Meet – Auto Boom – Bank Jitters – UFWD Hits India – Patriotic Education – Dhaka’s Smart City – US Commission’s Report
    Nov 15, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover the Xi-Modi meeting in Brazil; weak economic data; China’s small bank jitters; violence in Hong Kong worsens; US-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s annual report and much more… I. Xi-Modi Meet, RCEP […]
  • The Compound Eye – Seeds, Conferences and They Said It!
    Nov 15, 2019
    The Seeds Bill, 2019 Seeds occupy a seat of high importance in Indian agriculture. The long struggle to replace the Seeds Act, 1966 with a fresh legislation began in 2004 and has entered its latest battle with the introduction of The Seeds Bill, 2019. The Bill’s stated objective is “to provide for regulating the quality of seeds, […]
  • All Things Policy: The Real Nehru
    Nov 14, 2019
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    Was Jawaharlal Nehru a starry-eyed foreign policy optimist? Did he have a more realist strategy than we like to think? And how did his actions shape the future trajectory of Indian diplomacy? On the late PM’s 130th birth anniversary, Sankalp Gurjar and Manoj Kewalramani join Anirudh Kanisetti to discuss his complicated legacy. Subscribe and listen […]
  • बर्लिनची भिंत आणि बदललेले जग
    Nov 13, 2019
    जागतिक इतिहासाला वळण देणाऱ्या ज्या काही फार कमी घटना असतात त्यात बर्लिनभिंतीच्या पाडावाचा समावेश करता येईल. ९ नोव्हेंबर १९८९ या दिवशी पूर्व बर्लिन आणि पश्चिम बर्लिन यांना विभागणारी ही भिंत पाडण्याची प्रक्रिया सुरू झाली. या दिवशी जुने जग लयाला गेले आणि नव्या जगाची चाहूल लागली. त्यानंतरची २० वर्षे लोकशाहीच्या प्रसाराची, आर्थिक समृद्धीची, तंत्रज्ञानाच्या वेगवान प्रगतीची […]
  • All Things Policy: Can We Stop a Climate Disaster?
    Nov 13, 2019
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    How will climate change transform societies and economies? What solutions do we have ready right now? Australian climate change scholar Prof Tim Flannery joins Manoj Kewalramani and Sankalp Gurjar in today’s episode to explain. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • All Things Policy: The Looming Shadow of Nuclear Weapons
    Nov 12, 2019
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    Why are nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia falling apart or under pressure? What new dangers do they pose? And what can be done about them? In this episode, arms control expert Petr Topychkanov talks to Aditya Ramanathan and Pranav RS about the way ahead. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: […]
  • Govt needs to be wary of facial recognition misuse
    Nov 11, 2019
    India is creating a national facial recognition system. If you live in India, you should be concerned about what this could lead to. It is easy to draw parallels with 1984 and say that we are moving towards Big Brother at pace, and perhaps we are. But a statement like that, for better or worse, […]
  • All Things Policy: The Politics of Afghanistan
    Nov 11, 2019
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    How is the post-election politics shaping up in Afghanistan? What is the prospect of peace after the Presidential elections in September? Pranay Kotasthane talks to Anand Arni and Sankalp Gurjar. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 28: US-China Defence Ties; Strategic Competition in AI; China Fires Warning Flares; Naval Engineer Promoted to Full Membership; PLA Modernisation; Assessing the Air Component in the Military Parade; From Jiefangjun Bao, and more
    Nov 8, 2019
    I. The Big Story: US-China Defence Ties; Strategic Competition in AI Wei Fenghe, China’s Defence Minister and Mark Esper, US Defence Secretary discussed Hong Kong, Taiwan, the South China Sea and Xinjiang over a video call on Tuesday. No details of Wei’s comments on any of the four topics were out, although he has issued a […]
  • All Things Policy: The Counterinsurgency Puzzle and the Utilities of Force
    Nov 8, 2019
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    How should great powers support local governments fighting insurgencies? And is the Indian Army’s Cold Start doctrine still relevant? In this episode, Walter C Ladwig III, an associate professor at King’s College London, joins Manoj Kewalramani and Aditya Ramanathan for a freewheeling discussion on his latest book, The Forgotten Front, as well as his landmark 2007 […]
  • All Things Policy: Assured Retaliation
    Nov 7, 2019
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    On this episode, Dr Manpreet Sethi, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Air Power Studies, tells Aditya Ramanathan and Pranav RS why nuclear no-first-use is the best strategy for India. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • All Things Policy: Keepin’ It Real
    Nov 6, 2019
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    What is realism in international relations? Where are the Indian realists? And what do they think of the India-China relationship? Prof. Rajesh Rajagopalan of Jawaharlal Nehru University discusses with Sankalp Gurjar and Pranay Kotasthane. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • All Things Policy: China and the Bomb
    Nov 5, 2019
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    China’s nuclear arsenal has evolved and expanded since its first nuclear test in 1964. In this episode, Sankalp Gurjar talks to Pranav RS and Suyash Desai about how Chinese thinking on nuclear weapons has changed over the years. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Hold government accountable for Delhi air pollution but also punish selfish behaviour
    Nov 5, 2019
    If you are among the millions personally suffering from the acute air pollution in Delhi and many other parts of north India, now is not an appropriate time for a deeper reflection on the underlying causes of this human disaster. This is not to absolve the state and union governments involved. Nor is it to absolve […]
  • There’s more to India’s woes than data localisation
    Nov 4, 2019
    The personal data protection bill is yet to become a law and the debate is still rife on the costs and benefits of data localisation. It is yet to be seen officially if the government is going to mandate localisation in the data protection bill and to whom it is going to apply. Regardless of […]
  • How Pegasus works, strengths & weaknesses of E2E encryption & how secure apps like WhatsApp really are
    Nov 4, 2019
    Pegasus, the software that infamously hacked WhatsApp earlier this year, is a tool developed to help government intelligence and law enforcement agencies to battle cybercrime and terror. Once installed on a mobile device, it can collect contacts, files, and passwords. It can also ‘overcome’ encryption, and use GPS to pinpoint targets. More importantly, it is […]
  • All Things Policy: Predictably Indian
    Nov 4, 2019
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    Standard economic wisdom tells you people are self-interested, rational actors. But behavioural science says otherwise. How can we better understand the irrationalities that guide our daily existence, and how can we use that to achieve better policy outcomes in India? Pooja Haldea, Advisor at Ashoka University’s Center for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), explains the […]
  • दक्षिण आशियाचा मित्र: स्टीफन कोहेन
    Nov 2, 2019
    शीतयुद्धाच्या काळात बहुतांश अमेरिकी अभ्यासक सोव्हिएत रशिया व युरोपीय संरक्षण याविषयीच्या अभ्यासात गुंतलेले होते, तेव्हा जाणीवपूर्वक भारत आणि दक्षिण आशियाविषयक अभ्यासाकडे वळलेले स्टीफन कोहेन यांचे नुकतेच निधन झाले. त्यांच्या अभ्यासकीय कारकीर्दीची ओळख करून देणारा हा लेख.. 
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 27: Border Personnel Meeting; PLA Reform, a New Normative Contest and ASEAN; PLA Hardware; Military Data Pool; Japan-China Joint Maritime Drills; Motorised Umbrella Training
    Nov 2, 2019
    The Big Story: Border Personnel Meeting The Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army held a Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on the Chinese side at Bum La, Arunachal Pradesh on October 30. BPM was marked by the unfurling of national flags followed by a formal address by the delegation leaders and discussion of various issues between the two armies. “The mutual desire […]
  • The Compound Eye – Update Edition: DNA Tech Bill, Donor rights and Plan S
    Nov 1, 2019
    DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018: The first edition of Compound Eye discussed the DNA Technology Bill 2018. It subsequently lapsed after the previous Lok Sabha dissolved before the national elections. It was subsequently re-introduced in the current Lok Sabha and has now been sent to a Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology […]
  • DNA Technology Bill: Why the Standing Committee Has Its Work Cut Out
    Nov 1, 2019
    [Co-authored with Murali Neelakantan] With a decade-long history of deliberations, the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2018 is no stranger to the halls of Parliament. It is currently being scrutinised by the Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology, after it was reintroduced in the Lok Sabha earlier this year. The Bill seeks to […]
  • All Things Policy: India’s Military Options Against China
    Nov 1, 2019
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    A new paper has made some interesting recommendations for how India’s armed forces can manage the challenge from China. But are they feasible? General Prakash Menon and Manoj Kewalramani join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss. The paper from Center for a New American Security (CNAS) can be found here: Imbalance of Power Subscribe and listen to […]
  • Unless Lok Sabha elections get shorter, parties like BJP will keep winning
    Oct 31, 2019
    Central to the drama of 2019 is the Election Commission, an institution that India used to be proud of but which, in my view, no longer deserves the praise. I am referring to neither the allegations of tampered Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), nor the Election Commission’s weak-kneed approach towards insisting that the BJP follow the Model Code of Conduct […]
  • All Things Policy: Digital Africa
    Oct 31, 2019
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    In the last two decades, Africa has seen extraordinary leaps in access to mobile phones, sparking an IT revolution across the continent. Andre-Michel Essoungou, Cameroonian journalist and Political Officer at the United Nations, joins Anirudh Kanisetti and Rohan Seth on the sidelines of the Observer Researcher Foundations’s CyFy conference to discuss how this will change […]
  • The opinion of Western liberals or conservatives is inconsequential for the J&K situation at this point
    Oct 30, 2019
    The Print’s daily roundtable TalkPoint posed a question connected to the unofficial trip of twenty-seven European Union MPs to Jammu and Kashmir: Modi govt allows mostly far-Right EU MPs to J&K: Smart diplomacy to counter Western liberals? The Indian government has lost the plot if this unofficial trip is being held to ‘counter Western liberals’. The opinion […]
  • All Things Policy: Cameras and Control
    Oct 30, 2019
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    As CCTVs become more ubiquitous in Indian cities and facial recognition algorithms become more advanced, we may be moving towards a world where technology is used to violate individuals’ privacy and their fundamental rights. Apar Gupta, Executive Director at the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), discusses the social and political ramifications, and what civil society can […]
  • Cons of breaking encryption outweigh pros
    Oct 29, 2019
    A bit of math can better secure your communications than all the guns in the world combined. That is the beauty of end to end encryption which currently runs on WhatsApp. It makes messages shared between people private so that only the sender and the recipient can view what is being said. On a related […]
  • Telecom revolution took India to 21st century. The state is taking it backwards
    Oct 29, 2019
    The manner in which the Indian state has treated telecom is indicative of the disdain it has for a sector that has underpinned the country’s rise to an aspiring global power in the last 25 years. If we have to fix the problems we’ve created, it’s important to enumerate the big policy mistakes we have made. […]
  • A tale of two global rankings
    Oct 28, 2019
    Two global rankings were announced recently. One was the 2019 “Doing Business” report published by the World Bank, which was earlier called the “Ease of Doing Business” (EODB) India jumped to 63 from 77 last year. The improvement is dramatic, and in just five years India has improved its global position from 142 to 63. […]
  • Grand events, small gains
    Oct 28, 2019
    Despite holding two grand events in the last month, India has not gained anything significant on the diplomatic front. Neither ‘Howdy Modi’ in Houston nor Modi-Xi summit in Mamallapuram resulted in resolving outstanding issues in the bilateral relationships with the United States (US) and China… Therefore, what exactly did these two grand events achieve? Who was […]
  • अँडी फ्लाँवर आणि हेन्री ओलांगा
    Oct 26, 2019
    मुगाबे यांनी 2017 च्या डिसेंबरमध्ये 37 वर्षांच्या प्रदीर्घ काळानंतर नाइलाजाने सत्तात्याग केला. सप्टेंबर 2019 मध्ये त्यांचे वयाच्या 95 व्या वर्षी निधन झाले. आता झिम्बाब्वेत सत्ताबदल झालेला असला तरी, तो देश अजूनही भीषण परिस्थितीतच आहे. त्यामुळे हेन्री व अँडी यांना आपल्या देशात पुन्हा जाता येईल का, स्थायिक होता येईल का? या प्रश्नाचे उत्तर आज तरी देता […]
  • Where is the debate on data privacy headed?
    Oct 26, 2019
    Even as India pushes for data decryption access from Big Tech for better law enforcement, there is a larger issue of how Big Tech is not quite the paragon of virtue when it comes to upholding user privacy. If the Indian government does get social media platforms to part with user data, it should remember […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 26: China’s Xiangshan Forum; Military Frictions between India-China Military; PLA Daily; China-Kazakhstan Fox Hunting-2019; World Military Games; PLA LSF
    Oct 25, 2019
    The Big Story: China’s Xiangshan Forum The 9th Xiangshan Forum concluded in Beijing on 23rd October. More than 1,300 people, 76 official delegates, defence ministers from 23 countries, representatives and scholars from international organizations, and military observers of various countries attended the forum. The forum was themed, “Maintaining International Order and Promoting Peace in the Asia-Pacific.” The Chinese President Xi Jinping […]
  • All Things Policy: India’s Afghan Conundrum
    Oct 25, 2019
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    With an election in limbo and uncertain peace talks, Afghanistan’s long war could pack some surprises for India. In this special episode, Nitin Pai joins Ambassador Nirupama Rao and Lt General Prakash Menon to discuss how India can best craft an effective Afghan strategy. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts […]
  • Eye on China: Mamallapuram Inside Track – Afghan Talks – CPEC & FATF – 4th Plenum – Pence’s Speech
    Oct 25, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover new details from the Xi-Modi talks; US VP Mike Pence’s big China speech; EU awards Uighur activist; Beijing prepares for 4th plenum of 19th CPC Congress; China’s engagement in the […]
  • All Things Policy: Xi, Modi and the Prospects for India-China Relations
    Oct 24, 2019
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    The informal summit in Mamallapuram between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping may have generated photo ops, but does it provide a way forward for ties between Asia’s two giants? Nitin Pai sparks debate between Lt General Prakash Menon and Ambassador Nirupama Menon Rao. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox […]
  • All Things Policy: The Moral Dilemmas of IVF
    Oct 23, 2019
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    In the recent past, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or assisted reproductive technologies has enabled women of older age to bear children. What are the ethical dilemmas of such births? Should the government regulate them? Shambhavi Naik thrown open this question to Anupam Manur and Sowmya Nandan for debate. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: […]
  • Macaulay’s IPC was radical in 19th century. Now, shift power balance toward Indian citizens
    Oct 22, 2019
    According to a report in The Hindu Sunday, Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the Bureau of Police Research and Development to move ahead on reforming the Indian Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. When Macaulay drafted it in the 1830s, it was an exceptional piece of work. In the following decades, the colonial government modified it to […]
  • All Things Policy: Reading the Economist 19
    Oct 22, 2019
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    Viktor Orbán’s setback in Budapest; Japan’s Naruhito faces royal restrictions; psychedelics could treat depression; and China’s uncomfortable tryst with football acquisitions. Manoj Kewalramani joins Sankalp Gurjar and Utkarsh Narain to discuss all this and more in this week’s Reading The Economist. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any […]
  • Cap on age limit for IVF could be allowed, but only with checks and balances
    Oct 21, 2019
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    Septuagenarians in India using in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) technologies have met with mixed responses. While IVF is becoming the most common infertility treatment, many countries, including the US, UK and Australia, have recommended age limits for accessing the technology. India, however, currently has no laws restricting IVF access for women of advanced ages. Consequently, in the […]
  • All Things Policy: War on the Roof of the World
    Oct 21, 2019
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    The 1962 war with China scarred India and had a lasting impact on its politics. But why did the war break out? How did the world react? And are there any lessons for today? Manoj Kewalramani, Suyash Desai and Sankalp Gurjar discuss. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or […]
  • India’s Defence Space Agency: The Way Forward
    Oct 18, 2019
    Soon after conducting the ASAT test in April this year, the Indian government announced that it will set up a new agency called the  Defence Space Agency (DSA) comprising of members from the Army, Navy and Air Force,  and supported by a new research organization known as the Defence Space Research Agency (DSRO). This not […]
  • Eye on China: Chennai Summit – Nepal Visit – Trump’s Deal – GDP @ 6 – Pacific Lease
    Oct 18, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover the aftermath of the Chennai summit; Xi’s visit to Nepal; China’s economic slowdown; a possible Phase 1 deal with the US and much more… I. The Chennai Summit Narendra Modi […]
  • All Things Policy: The Missiles of October
    Oct 18, 2019
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    This week, 57 years ago a crisis broke out in the Caribbean that brought the world closest its ever been to all-out nuclear war. In this episode, Shibani Mehta, Pranav RS and Aditya Ramanathan debate the lessons of the confrontation for the future. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 25: China Planning to Use its Military Force?; Military World Games and Xiangshan Forum; China’s Aircraft Carriers; Z-20 Black Hawk Lookalike and India’s Naval Bid; Qing Dian
    Oct 18, 2019
    China is implementing the largest military build-up since World War II. It is heavily investing in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA has undergone dramatic changes since the 1990s. But under Xi’s leadership, the military reforms are more ambitious and wide-ranging. In the 19th CPC National Congress, Xi pledged that the PLA will achieve modernisation by 2020, […]
  • All Things Policy: Military Revolution and the Future of War
    Oct 17, 2019
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    How do countries think about revolutionary changes in the character of war? In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani, Pranav RS, and Aditya Ramanathan debate the dynamics driving strategic and military innovations from the gunpowder era to our times. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • What does refusal to sign the Osaka Track mean for India?
    Oct 16, 2019
    The big decision here is whether or not India wants to share its data with anyone under any circumstances. India recently started sharing maritime data with countries in the Indian Ocean Region. The Information Fusion Centre is actively interacting with the maritime community and has already built linkages with 18 countries and 15 multinational/maritime security […]
  • All Things Policy: The Military Pensions Dilemma
    Oct 16, 2019
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    Nearly 25% of India’s defence expenditure for this year will be used to service the pension bill. Is this sustainable? And how does it impact modernisation? Manoj Kewalramani talks to General Prakash Menon and Pranay Kotasthane about their new study which proposes an innovative solution to this problem. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: […]
  • India’s road to RCEP laden with China-related obstacles
    Oct 15, 2019
    Ten years ago, the question was whether India and China should sign a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). Today, it is whether India should join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). There are two different but interconnected issues: the dominance of Chinese manufacturers in the export of goods; and the impenetrability of the Chinese market to […]
  • All Things Policy: Reading the Economist 18
    Oct 15, 2019
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    Will China have autonomous cars before the West? Is inflation no longer a worry for emerging markets? And why are the EU and Russia patching up now? Manoj Kewalramani, Sankalp Gurjar and Utkarsh Narain discuss all this and more in this week’s Reading The Economist. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google […]
  • All Things Policy: A Peculiar Alliance
    Oct 14, 2019
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    Sweeter than honey and higher than the mountains-that’s how China and Pakistan describe their relationship. But what really drives it? Is it just about containing India or are there other factors involved? Manoj Kewalramani talks to Suyash Desai and Sankap Gurjar about the bonds that shape the China-Pakistan axis. Subscribe and listen to the podcast […]
  • नवे पुस्तक: मुसलमानी मुलखांतली मुशाफरी (लेखक : श्रीपाद रामचंद्र टिकेकर)
    Oct 12, 2019
    हे पुस्तक वाचून असा कोणाचाही गैरसमज होऊ शकतो की, हे पुस्तक केवळ राजकारणाविषयीच असावे, पण तसे नाही. इराक व इराणमधल्या समाजजीवनाकडे टिकेकर अगदी विचक्षण दृष्टीने पाहत होते. त्यामुळेच ते लिहितात की, इराणमध्ये वाहने रस्त्याच्या उजव्या बाजूने चालवली जात असली, तरीही इराकमध्ये ब्रिटिश सत्तेचा पराभव असल्याने वाहने डाव्या बाजूने चालवावीत असा नियम आहे. इराकमध्ये खजुराशिवाय इतर […]
  • Do informal summits with China work?
    Oct 11, 2019
    The hopes of a harmonious, balanced relationship between India and China post-Wuhan have not been realised. In fact, little has changed in the overall trajectory of the Indo-China bilateral relationship of limited co-operation and strategic competition. Therefore, the Mamallapuram summit will make for good optics for both Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi, but it is […]
  • What can Modi-Xi agree on to call their Mamallapuram meeting a success?
    Oct 11, 2019
    The Print’s daily roundtable TalkPoint posed a question connected to the Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping informal summit in Mamallapuram: What can Modi-Xi agree on to call their Mamallapuram meeting a success? Manoj Kewalramani, Fellow-China Studies at The Takshashila Institution, was among the discussants. Manoj argued: My expectations from the Modi-Xi summit are very low for mainly two reasons. First, […]
  • Eye on China: Xi in Chennai – Pak’s Push – Nepal Visit – Trade Talks – EU 5G Warning – Tax Reform
    Oct 11, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover Xi Jinping’s arrival in India for the second informal summit; Imran Khan’s visit to China; Beijing’s announcement of major taxation reforms; the US and China heading towards a partial trade […]
  • All Things Policy: A Meeting at Mamallapuram
    Oct 11, 2019
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    Is the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping an empty gesture or a valuable diplomatic initiative? Our China watchers, Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai join host Aditya Ramanathan to debate the value of such a meeting. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 24: Bajwa in Beijing; China’s advance destroyer in Japan’s Multinational Fleet Review; India-China Informal Summit: An Indian Interests Agenda
    Oct 11, 2019
    Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited China last week. Bajwa met the top military commanders of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). A statement by Pakistan military’s Inter-Services Public Relations said, “General Bajwa met General Han Weiguo, PLA Commander Army and General Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission […]
  • The Compound Eye – All about Protection: Biosafety, Biodefense and Dental Health
    Oct 11, 2019
    Regulations and Guidelines on Biosafety of Recombinant DNA Research & Biocontainment 2017 In the recent past, there have two incidents at biodefense facilities – one in the US and one in Russia. More on that in the Its All Controversial section, but it is fair to say that countries which stock or do research on pathogens need […]
  • All Things Policy: Eastern Promises
    Oct 10, 2019
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    Delhi and Dhaka signed several agreements during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit, despite concerns about issues like the NRC. Shambhavi Naik talks to Pranav RS, Sankalp Gurjar and Suyash Desai about the future of the India-Bangladesh relationship and what it means for India’s approach to regionalism. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes […]
  • All Things Policy: Fake News Conundrum
    Oct 9, 2019
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    Singapore’s anti-fake news law took effect on October 02. Shibani Mehta, Rohan Seth, and Utkarsh Narain talk about what such laws might mean for free speech, dissent, and civil liberties, as well as the dilemmas they pose for big-tech and media companies. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or […]
  • Modi-Xi Summit: Don’t expect a major breakthrough
    Oct 9, 2019
    While India and China will hold the second informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping today and tomorrow, events over the past few weeks have dampened the prospects of forward movement on the boundary dispute. The first informal summit between Xi and Modi in Wuhan in 2018 had provided a tentative […]
  • All Things Policy: China’s Web of Influence and Power
    Oct 7, 2019
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    Much has been written about Chinese influence operations undermining democracies and impacting academic freedoms. In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani talks to Suyash Desai and Sankalp Gurjar about the instruments China uses to exercise sharp power. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Takshashila Discussion Document – Modi-Xi Informal Summit: An Indian Interests Agenda
    Oct 7, 2019
    Download the Discussion Document in PDF Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping for an informal summit in the coastal town of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu in October 2019. The summit is a timely opportunity to address some of the stressors that are fraying the fabric of the Wuhan spirit […]
  • All Things Policy: The Geopolitics of Online Worlds
    Oct 4, 2019
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    The astonishing multiplayer world of Eve Online allows players to build, trade, become politicians, and wage war on each other. In this episode, Anirudh Kanisetti joins Manoj Kewalramani and Aditya Ramanathan to discuss what such games reveal about the real world, from the creation of political entities, to economics and strategy. Subscribe and listen to […]
  • All Things Policy: Fighting Together
    Oct 3, 2019
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    Is military jointness good? Or should each service should be allowed to formulate its own strategy? Are there any lessons for India from the military reforms in China? Manoj Kewalramani discusses with Suyash Desai and Sankalp Gurjar. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • All Things Policy: Getting Back on Track
    Oct 2, 2019
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    The Railway Board Chairman has recently announced plans to allow 150 private trains into the railway network. What really needs to be done to improve the quality and availability of rail transport? Nitin Pai joins Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane to figure out the implications. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google […]
  • All Things Policy: India’s Economic Dilemmas
    Oct 1, 2019
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    India’s economy is in doldrums, but the way out is unclear. Nitin Pai and Anupam Manur join Pranay Kotasthane to discuss the options, from sweeping reforms to sensible taxation. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Indian economy needs structural reforms & behavioural change, not macroeconomic jargon
    Oct 1, 2019
    Okay, the Indian economy is in a slowdown and it is absolutely important for us to quickly get back onto the path of high growth. Economic output is the sum of consumer expenditure, investment, government expenditure and net exports. The best way to increase growth is to increase all four of the above. There is a need for […]
  • India should seek ‘hawkish balance’ through Quad
    Oct 1, 2019
    The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) received an upgrade last week when the foreign ministers of Australia, Japan, India and the US met at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The Quad was conceived in 2007 to address the unconventional threats in the Asia-Pacific region. But China viewed this grouping as a ganging-up of […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Special Edition: China’s National Day Grand Military Parade
    Oct 1, 2019
    The PRC celebrated its 70th anniversary today, with much pomp and pageantry in Beijing. President Xi Jinping delivered a brief and rather underwhelming speech, emphasising the unity, development and strength of the PRC. “There is no force that can shake the foundation of this great nation. Socialist China is standing in front of the world. No force can […]
  • All Things Policy: The Promise and Tragedy of China
    Sep 30, 2019
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    The People’s Republic of China is celebrating its 70th anniversary on October 1st, 2019. Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai talk to Pranay Kotasthane about China’s tumultuous journey and its uncertain future. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • धन्यवाद, ग्लाड महोदय!
    Sep 29, 2019
    दर वर्षी ३० सप्टेंबर हा दिवस ‘आंतरराष्ट्रीय अनुवाद दिवस’ म्हणून साजरा केला जातो. अनुवाद ही खरे तर मूळ लेखनाइतकीच सर्जनशील कृती असते. चांगले अनुवादक हे दोन भाषांमध्ये आणि परिणामी दोन समाजांमध्ये पूल बांधण्याचे, सहकार्याच्या कक्षा रुंदावण्याचे व संवाद साधण्याचे काम करत असतात. अनुवादामुळेच उत्तमोत्तम साहित्यकृती भाषा-प्रदेश-संस्कृती-राष्ट्र-काळ यांनी घातलेल्या मर्यादांच्या पलीकडे पोहोचतात. अनुवादित साहित्याचा प्रभाव एखाद्या […]
  • On India-Pakistan sparring at the UNGA
    Sep 27, 2019
    The Print’s daily roundtable TalkPoint posed a question: Does India-Pakistan sparring at UNGA bring any diplomatic benefit for either country? India does not gain anything by sparring with Pakistan at the UNGA. In fact, for a major power like India engaging in a war of words with Pakistan actually diminishes its status, re-hyphenates it with Pakistan, and demonstrates […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 22: China’s Naval Modernisation; National Day Military Parade; China’s Defence-Industrial Base; China’s Trilateral Joint Drill in IOR; Tsentr-2019; Xiangshan Security Forum
    Sep 27, 2019
    Congressional Research Service (CRS) has submitted its latest research report to the US Congress on China Naval Modernisation: Implications for US Navy Capabilities- Background and Issues for Congress. The report claims that China’s military modernisation, including its naval modernisation, has become a top concern for the US. China has been steadily modernising its navy for the past 25 […]
  • Eye on China: Sun’s Media Blitz – New White Papers – South Asia Watch – Taliban Talks – Huawei in India – Patriotic Education
    Sep 27, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong’s engagement with the Indian media; China’s new white papers on human rights and the new era; Chinese engagement in South Asia and a return […]
  • The Compound Eye – Scientific Social Responsibility, GM mosquitoes and ASEAN
    Sep 27, 2019
    Scientific Social Responsibility The Ministry of Science and Technology has released draft guidelines for the inclusion of Scientific Social responsibility (SSR) on the lines of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated scientific social responsibility for leading scientific institutions to “promote scientific excellence in all stakeholders, including educational institutions”. (Read more) Mosquito vs Mosquito Not many people are […]
  • The hot risks of ‘Cold Start’
    Sep 27, 2019
    India’s controversial military doctrine is of limited use in a clash with Pakistan and should stay cold and underplayed. India’s military should privilege development of a military capability that allows for causing destruction without posturing. Long-range firepower from air, land and sea platforms provide more promise for retribution under the nuclear shadow than IBGs that, […]
  • All Things Policy: Cryptocurrency Explained
    Sep 27, 2019
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    We all know what cryptocurrency is and how it can be used. But how does it really work? On this episode, Aditya Ramanathan and Anirudh Kanisetti talk to Utkarsh Narain to undertand the A to Z of cryptocurrency and blockchain. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other […]
  • Donald Trump Endorsement: India’s Calculated Move
    Sep 26, 2019
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s indirect endorsement of President Donald Trump for the White House is a calculated risk. India’s gains from the US in the next few months would determine the merit of this endorsement. But an unapologetic India doesn’t care about its grand old foreign policy’s dogmatic values and principles. Read More…
  • All Things Policy: On Killer Robots and Partisan Bubbles
    Sep 26, 2019
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    Will lethal autonomous weapon systems make future crises more dangerous? And how does information gerrymandering help vested interests divide and rule populations? Anirudh Kanisetti and Aditya Ramanathan discuss. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • On the Howdy Modi event
    Sep 25, 2019
    The Print’s daily roundtable TalkPoint posed a question connected to the Indian PM’s Howdy Modi event in Houston: Is it smart diplomacy for PM Modi to align himself with Donald Trump’s campaign in Houston? Whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s endorsement of US President Donald Trump at the ‘Howdy, Modi’ event should be termed smart diplomacy depends on its […]
  • All Things Policy: A Climate Emergency
    Sep 25, 2019
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    The UN General Assembly has been debating climate change, but what are the practical measures countries like India can take? Manoj Kewalramani joins Pavan Srinath and Pranay Kotasthane to assess the options. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Takshashila Discussion Document – A Human Capital Investment Model for India’s National Security System
    Sep 24, 2019
    and
    Download the Discussion Document in PDF India’s burgeoning defence pensions expenditure is unsustainable and begs immediate action. Starting with the Kargil Review Committee, many solutions have been mooted over the last two decades to address this problem but none of them have fructified. Meanwhile, the expenditure has ballooned after the implementation of the One Rank […]
  • Takshashila Policy Advisory – Comments on the National Guidelines for Gene Therapy Product Development and Clinical Trials
    Sep 24, 2019
    and
    Download the Advisory in PDF This policy advisory contains recommendations and comments in response to the draft National Guidelines for Gene Therapy Product Development and Clinical Trials released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in consultation with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) in July 2019. We […]
  • Performing well in the sandbox won’t be enough
    Sep 24, 2019
    RBI recently came up with a Draft Enabling Framework for Regulatory Sandbox in financial technology. For context, a sandbox is a framework that allows testing of innovations by private firms in a controlled environment. As far as developments in the fintech regulation space go, this is a good one. A sandbox allows players to run […]
  • What the Congress party needs is a palace coup
    Sep 24, 2019
    While the government of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah has received severe criticism for its policies, the Congress has largely been excused for its failure to effectively hold the end of opposition. The BJP has turned many parts of the Congress legacy into a debilitating political liability. My indictment of the Congress is threefold: most of its leaders do not know […]
  • All Things Policy: Reading the Economist 17
    Sep 24, 2019
    and
    What’s happening in the world with changing climate? Did Iran really attack Saudi Arabia? And what is Netanyahu’s future? Manoj Kewalramani, Pranav R.S. and Utkarsh Narain talk about all this and more in this week’s Reading the Economist. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • All Things Policy: Howdy Prime Minister?
    Sep 23, 2019
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    Prime Minister Modi kicked off his week-long visit to the United States with a massive event in Houston. Manoj Kewalramani, Sankalp Gurjar and Suyash Desai discuss the implications of the rally for US-India relations and Indian-Americans. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Human Nature and the Geopolitics of Online Worlds
    Sep 23, 2019
    Over the last week, I’ve been absolutely geeking out over massively multiplayer online worlds. In India, our conception of an online world – and what people can do in them – is generally social media-centric. Social media is a rich experience of its own, but people on social media are generally somewhat limited in terms […]
  • All Things Policy: An Engine of Growth Sputters
    Sep 20, 2019
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    With India’s automobile industry skidding off the growth path, Anupam Manur joins Aditya Ramanathan to discuss what ails the sector and what can be done about it. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Stronger fiscal federalism
    Sep 20, 2019
    Former prime minister Manmohan Singh recently urged the Centre to do more to enhance the spirit of cooperative federalism. His comments were in the context of the changes made to the terms of reference to the 15th Finance Commission (15FC). These changes were made in July, quite late in the tenure of the 15FC, and especially […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 21: China’s National Day Military Parade; Next Step in Building India-China Military to Military Relations; Russian Military Exercises; Countering Drone Attacks
    Sep 20, 2019
    The People’s Republic of China’s 70th foundation anniversary is less than two weeks away. But China has already stepped up the intensive rehearsal for its 70th anniversary’s National Day Parade. The focus of the parade this year will be on the weapons that are developed after 2012.  President Xi came to power in late 2012, and since then, he […]
  • Eye on China: Wuhan 2.0 – Indian Wargames – Economic Weakness – Li In Russia – Drone Sales
    Sep 20, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover all the buzz heading into the second Modi-Xi informal summit; China’s GDP slowing below 6%; Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Russia; the US reconsidering HK’s special status and much more… […]
  • All Things Policy: Art of The Deal in Kabul
    Sep 19, 2019
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    With US-Taliban talks frozen for now, what will it take to create a lasting peace that secures India’s interests? In this special episode, Sumeer Bhasin, a businessman with deep experience in the country gives Sankalp Gurjar and Aditya Ramanathan an insider’s view of the struggle for peace. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes […]
  • The Puzzling Ban of E-Cigarettes in India
    Sep 19, 2019
    The Indian government’s own disastrous experience with bans of various substances and services in the past should categorically advise it against such a move in the future. Yet, it is planning to go down the same route again with the case of “e-cigarettes” also known as Electronic Nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). A ban on ENDS, […]
  • All Things Policy: Setting the Desert on Fire
    Sep 18, 2019
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    Last week’s attack on Saudi oil facilities highlights the threat to India’s hydrocarbons supplies. Manoj Kewalramani and Sankalp Gurjar join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss what the dramatic attack means for India and the region. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • All Things Policy: Reading The Economist 16
    Sep 17, 2019
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    Has Huawei made a peace offering to the US? Is Silicon Valley on the brink of discovering the secret to immortality? And how does our perception of people affect our judgement of them? Find out this and more in today’s podcast on Reading the Economist, with Rohan Seth, Shambhavi Naik, and Pranav RS. Subscribe and […]
  • Honey traps, deepfakes, AI: Why India’s RAW needs to prepare for threats beyond terrorism
    Sep 17, 2019
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    In the context of India, honey-trappers usually try to extract information or spread fake news. There is still evidence of the adversary breaking into the top-level. That, however, is no reason for India’s intelligence community to not break out of the status quo. If anything is to be learnt from the 26/11 experience, intelligence agencies must stay […]
  • Howdy Modi and Trump showcase Indian lobby in US. But double loyalties can’t go far
    Sep 17, 2019
    Trump’s presence at Howdy Modi certainly highlights the strength and the comfort of the India-US relationship. The event’s organisers claim that it is the largest-ever turnout for a foreign elected leader on the US soil. Apparently, only the Pope attracted a bigger crowd. In the amoral world of international relations, it is par for the course for states […]
  • All Things Policy: Libra Raj?
    Sep 16, 2019
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    How much power does the newly announced digital currency Libra give Facebook? What will be the geopolitical implications? To understand the fallout, Aditya Ramanathan and Anirudh Kanisetti talk to Rohan Seth and unpack the case. Rohan’s Op-ed: www.ozy.com/opinion/lack-of-con…y-no-to-libra/96542 Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Putting India on the road to becoming an AI superpower
    Sep 15, 2019
    The Indian government has made no secret of its interest in harnessing the power of AI. Over recent years, NITI Aayog has come up with a National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion designated an AI task force which came up with its own report, the interim budget earlier this […]
  • All Things Policy: India’s Podcasting Adventures
    Sep 13, 2019
    and
    What is it like to be a podcaster in India? Our own podcasters – Anirudh Kanisetti and Aditya Ramanathan – sit down with Amit Doshi and Kavita Rajwade, co-founders of IVM Podcasts, to find out. Subscribe and listen to the podcast on: iTunes Castbox Google Podcasts Spotify or any other podcast app.
  • Eye on China: Delhi-Beijing Frictions – Net Rules & Inspections – Af-Pak Trilateral – Merkel’s Visit – Xi’s Reform Meeting – Trade Thaw with US
    Sep 13, 2019
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week we cover the frictions in the Sino-Indian relationship ahead of the second informal summit; German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Beijing; the Afghanistan-China-Pakistan trilateral meeting; the issuance of new Internet rules in […]
  • Not Enough Reasons for Cryptocurrency Ban
    Sep 13, 2019
    An inter-ministerial committee led by Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg has proposed that holding cryptocurrency in India be made illegal. Directly or indirectly investing, trading, or exchanging foreign cryptocurrencies could lead to a prison sentence for up to 10 years or a fine up to ₹25 crores. The committee’s argument is that banning cryptocurrencies […]
  • The Takshashila PLA Insight: Issue no 20: China-India Faceoff: Pangong Tso; Military Big Data (军事大数据); US Targets Companies with Chinese Military Ties; Dawn of Expeditionary Force; China-Pakistan Air Exercises
    Sep 13, 2019
    The Big Story: China-India Faceoff: Pangong Tso   Border tensions between China and India flared-up once again. A face-off between the Indian and Chinese soldiers began on the northern bank of the 134-km long Pangong Tso. The lake extends from Tibet to Ladakh with China controlling two-thirds of it. The Indian army troops were patrolling on the northern bank of […]

  • Why we need protection from the Data Protection Bill
    Jan 13, 2020
    The Bill, in its current form, more or less tries to hand the government a blank cheque when it comes to accessing citizens’ data. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) is set to brief the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Data Protection Bill on January 14. As MEITY itself has drafted the Bill, […]
  • Shutting down internet to curb opposing views is problematic
    Jan 13, 2020
    States around the world are divided along the lines of how they should view the internet. On one end of the spectrum, there are calls to treat the internet somewhat as a fundamental right. For instance, the UN subscribes to this view and is publicly advocating for internet freedom and protection of rights online. On […]
  • Amazon, Fine Margins, and Ambient Computing
    Jan 13, 2020
    There are some keynotes in the tech world that serve as highlights of the year. There is Apple’s iPhone event and WWDC where Apple traditionally deals with software developments. Then there is Google’s IO, and also the Mobile World Congress. Virtually all of these are guaranteed to make news. Earlier last year, it was an […]
  • Expect China to intensify pressure campaign after Tsai Ing-wen’s victory
    Jan 13, 2020
    Cross-strait ties are likely to get far more frosty, with serious implications for the security dynamic in East Asia, after Tsai Ing-wen’s victory in Taiwan’s presidential election. In many ways, Saturday’s was a historic election. Nearly 75 percent of the 19.31 million eligible voters cast their ballot, with Tsai bagging over 57 percent of the […]
  • Why missed call democracy is a bad idea
    Jan 13, 2020
    and
    The Narendra Modi-led government launched a ‘missed call campaign’ on January 3, 2019 asking people to give a missed call at a number to register their support for the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Home Minister Amit Shah has claimed that 52,72,000 missed calls have been received from verifiable phone numbers. What has been happening in […]
  • The Compound Eye – Mice in Space, Turtles in Rehab and Bedbugs in Walmart: 2020 is here!
    Jan 10, 2020
    Advertising and Claims Regulations, FSSAI  Earlier this week, the Maharashtra FDA seized food products worth INR 69 lakhs in lieu of misleading claims made by the manufacturers. In raids carried out at cold storages located at various places, FDA officers had found issues with three products. These are Nutralite Fat Spread of Zydus Wellness Pvt. […]
  • Eye on China: Taiwan Polls – Pak Drills – US Deal – Xi’s Mission – Defaults & Revenue – Wuhan Flu
    Jan 10, 2020
    Eye on China is a weekly bulletin offering news and analysis related to the Middle Kingdom from an Indian interests perspective. This week Xi Jinping concludes the “staying true to our founding mission” campaign; party committees in enterprises get more teeth; tensions escalate in the South China Sea; India’s Northern Army Commander visits China and […]
  • The PLA Insight: PLA & Tibet; The SCS Standoff; Military Sci-tech; JL-3; Djibouti Base; Smart Weapons Conf; China-Pakistan Naval Exercises, and more
    Jan 10, 2020
    I. The Big Story: PLA and Tibet The PLA has begun its major military exercises in the high-altitude Tibetan plateau bordering India. The Type 15 light battle tanks and the new type 155-MM howitzers are used for the exercises, a report claims. Another report claims that the Tibet military command has deployed helicopters, armoured vehicles, heavy artillery and anti-aircraft missiles across the […]